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Date: 12/6/2021
SOUTH HADLEY – From Nov. 26- Dec. 20, the Johnson Groups is hosting their sixth annual holiday toy drive. They are collecting items for all ages, new unwrapped toys and new clothing.
The Johnson Groups have been in business for over 40 years, owned and managed by Bill and Tracey Johnson and their sons, Robert and David. Their associated companies include Pleasant Auto Body & Repair, Hampshire Towing, Amber Scene Clean and many others.
Robert Johnson, vice president of Pleasant Street Auto Body Repair Inc. and Hampshire Towing said, “We always try to give back to the community in different ways. Six years ago, we saw a need for children to have toys around Christmas time, so we started organizing it. It’s definitely picked up speed and it’s gotten bigger since then. This is something we really feel and we get a lot of joy making people happy.”
The Johnson Groups are teaming up with the police departments of South Hadley, Holyoke, Agawam and Belchertown who are running toy drives this year. The Johnson Groups is also donating toys to the Holyoke Parade of Lights and the local Chamber of Commerce. “I love this time of the year donating toys and helping out kids in the community,” Toy Drive Coordinator/Assistant HR Debra Barnes happily said. “It’s one of my most favorite things that I do at my job.”
Johnson added, “A lot of families are hurting and money is very tight. We want to do everything we can to help out as much as possible. Our main goal is to get support from our customers and employees, but most importantly we want to see the happiness and smiles of all of the children.”
Barnes said they’re not taking in stuffed animals. Monetary donations are welcomed as well as gift cards to Amazon. Donations can be dropped off any time of the day at 650 New Ludlow Rd. in South Hadley where toys can be brought down to their dispatch area.